Display device



H. HARRISON DISPLAY DEVICE Sept. 1, 1936.

Filed May 1, 1935 HENRY HARRISON Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relatesgenerally to display devices and more partcularly to improvements in easels of collapsible construction for supporting in tensioned condition flexible posters or sheets 5 bearing advertising or other printed matter.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 755,864, filed December 4, 1934, I have disclosed a form of flexible poster which is adapted to be maintained in taut condition by a stretcher member the opposite extremities of whichare adapted to be seated metal channels respectively provided along the top and bottom edges of the poster. It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and practical support for the tensioned poster so thatt-he display matter upon the face thereof may be readily viewed, the support being adapted to hold the poster rigidly in a substantially vertical plane .or in a plane only slightly inclined with 20 respect to the vertical.

7 Another object of the invention is to provide a form of collapsible holder or support for the tensioned poster of such character that it may be readily assembled and operatively associated 25 with the poster unit for maintaining the latter in proper display position, and as readily dis-assembled and removed from the poster unit.

Still another object is to providea holder or support for the :tensioned poster unit wherein 30 means is provided for positively clamping the poster within the holder, the said means being operative to prevent any possibility of the poster being displaced relatively to its holder.

A still further object is to provide a holder of such design and construction that it-may be employed not only .as a base support for-the upwardly extending poster unit but also as a means for suspending the poster unit in downwardly extending relation from an overhead support.

" Other objects and advantagesof the invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood=that the present invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will appear more'fully hereinafter, :as shown in the accompanying drawing and as finally pointed out .in the appendedclaims. In the said accompanying drawing, which illustrates certain preferred embodimentsof fth'e"invention'but which are not intended as restricting the invention to the embodiments shown: I p

V Figure 1 is a side 'elevational view of the poster unit in -'assen'ibled;relation with the holder or sup- 35 port of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a frontal face view of the assembly shown in Figure 1;

. Figure 3 is a plan view of the holder showing,

in horizontal section, the poster uni-t supported by the holder;

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the holder with a part of the poster represented in dotted lines;

Figures 5 and 6 are plan and side views, respec tively, of the collapsible stretcher member such as is employed for maintaining the poster in tautened condition;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the holder clamping element operatively disposed with respect to the lower edge element and stretcher of the poster unit;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a somewhat modified form of clamping element;

Figure 9 is a view taken on the line -99 of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a viewshowing the holder arranged to support the poster unit in suspended relation from an overhead support.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1 to 7 thereof, it will be observed that the poster ID, as constructed in accordance with and for the purposes of the present invention, essentially comprises a sheet of paper, cloth or other such limp material, one or both surfaces of which is adapted to have printed thereon or otherwise applied thereto, any desired advertising or display matter. As is more particularly described in my copending application, Serial No. 755,864, aforesaid, the opposite horizontally extending edges of the poster sheet H) are respectively provided with channel-shaped edge strips I l and I2, the mouths of which present toward each other and are adapted respectively to accommodate the opposite extremities of a transversely flexible tensioning member I3. In the poster unit of the present invention, only one tensioning member 13 is employed,- this member, which is disposed centrally between the opposite side edges of the poster sheet, being of an overall length greater than the length of :the sheet so that when the opposite extremities of the member are seated within the channels of the edge strips ll and I2 the member :is bowed-and under sufiicient tension to adequately maintain the poster sheet in taut condition.

Preferably, the tensioning member I3 is formed of two sections which are pivotally connected together, as at M, thus permitting the said sections to be relatively swung into the collapsed condition shown in Figures 5 and 6. The overall length of the tensioning member when collapsed as shown in Figures 5 and 6 is approximately equal to the overall width of the poster sheet so that when the latter is rolled into the form of a tube, as for shipping purposes, the collapsed tensioning member may be inserted axially within the tube without projecting from either end thereof. A compact package is thus obtained for shipping purposes.

The two sections of the tensioning member are respectivelyprovided, adjacent the pivot It, with a projection l5 and a perforation or indentation it which coact to retain the said sections in the extended relation shown in Figure 1 when the said member is expanded into its full length. The lower extremity of the lower section of the tensioning member I3 is provided with a fixed bolt l1 upon which is adapted to be threaded a nut l8, for the purpose which will be apparent immediately hereinafter. It will further be observed, as appears most clearly in Figures 1 and 6, that the portion of the tensioning member l3 which carries the said fixed bolt l1 extends angularly with respect to the unflexed remaining portion of the tensioning member and is adapted for disposition flatwise against the rear surface of the tensioned poster sheet II? when the tensioning member i3 is Operatively associated with the latter. I

The holder for maintaining the poster unit in the substantially upright position shown in Figures 1 and 2 generally comprises a plate ll) of a width considerably less than that of the bottom edge of the said poster sheet, the said plate I9 being provided along its frontal edge with a reversely bent flange 28 forming an upwardly presenting channel within which is adapted to be accommodated the bottom metal edge strip ill of the poster sheet. Operatively associated with the horizontally disposed plate l9 of the holder is'a clamping element having the angularly related arms 29, 22 and 23. The intermediate arm 22 of the clamping element is provided with an elongated slot therein through which is projected a bolt Z l' carried by the plate l9. By virtue of the "ried by the tensioning member l3 as to prevent lateral displacement 'of the arm 2! relatively to the said tensioning member and at the sametime serve as a rear support of backing for the poster "unit. a

As appears most clearly in Figure 7, the channeled bottom edge strip l2 of the poster sheet is more or less snuglylaccommodated within the upwardly presenting channel 26 of the holder plate 7 l9, and it will'be further observed that the rear branch 2'! of theedge strip l2 of the poster sheet is so angularly inclined with respect to the plane of the poster sheet that the free edge of said branch Zl is spaced rearwardly from the vertical plane of the lower portion of the tensioning member it; The arms 2! andZZ of the clamping element of the holder are preferably'formed atright angles to each other so that when the said clampingfelement is shifted toward and into intimate contact with the rear surface of the tensioning member the forward portion of the arm 22 -rests upon-and extends forwardly of the free edge of the said incli'nedbranch 21 of the channeled edge strip l2 of the poster sheet. With the parts secured in the relation shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and '7, as by tightening the nuts l8 and 25, it will be apparent that the holder is positively locked to the poster unit, to such extent that when the latter is lifted it carries with it the holder. By varying the depth of the rearmost arm 23 of the clamping element, the angular relation of the poster sheet with respect to the vertical may be varied. In the particular formof construction illustrated, the saidarm 23 is approximately of the same depth as the depth of the channeled ;portion 28 of the plate E9, in consequence of which the plate l9 and the intermediate arm 22 of the clamping element lie in planes slightly inclined with respect to the vertical and so cause the poster sheet to assume a somewhat vertically inclined position. r I

If desired, the clamping element comprising the angularly related arms 2!, 22 and 23, may be formed of two separable parts instead of as an integral member. Thus, in Figures 8 and 9 the forward vertically extending arm 28 of'theclamping element may be provided with a. socket 29 in its lower extremity within which is adapted to be received an upstanding projection 30 provided at the'forward end of the arm 3| of said clamping element. In all other respects the clamping element of Figures 8 and 9 is structurally substantially the same as and functions in the manner of that shown in Figure 1.

As is shown in Figure 10, the holder for'the poster sheet is adapted to suspend the poster unit in downwardly extending relation from any suitable overhead support, as, for example, a bolt or pin 32 inserted into a vertically'extending wall surface 33., This is, of course, possible only by reason of the fact that the forward portion of the intermediate arm 22 of the clamping element extends forwardly of and overlies the free edge of the rear branch 27 of the poster edge strip l2. Preferably, the arm 23 of the clamping element is suitably perforated to provide for the projection therethrough of the supporting pin 32 or the like;

If desired, the holder may be equipped with a lamp 3d (see Figures 1 and 6) for providing rear illumination for the poster sheet ID. This is particularly desirable when'the poster sheet I ll is formed of transparent or translucent materiaL'it having been found by me that by so illuminating the poster sheet its appearance is rendered most attractive. Preferably, the lamp socket 35 is carried by the horizontally disposed intermediate arm 22 of the clamping element. While I do not regard the lamp as an indispensable feature of the holder, I have found that its use in conjunction therewith enhances materially the eifectiveness of the material displayed on the poster sheet, particularly when the poster is suspended from an overhead support in the manner shown in'Figure 6. I

It will be understood, of course, that the invention is susceptible of various changes from time to time without departing from the real spirit or general principles thereof and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by'the appended claims.

What is claimed as newand useful is:

1. In combination, a flexible poster sheet having metallic edge strips of oppositely facing channel formation to receive theopposite extremities of a tensioning member for the sheet, and a holder for the tensioned poster sheet consisting of a plate having a channel for snugly accommodating one or the other of said channel-shaped edge strips and a clamping means securable to said plate and to said sheet tensioning member to prevent displacement of the said edge strip from the holder plate channel.

2. In combination, a flexible poster sheet having metallic edge strips of oppositely facing channel formation to receive the opposite extremities of a tensioning member for the sheet, and a holder for the tensioned poster sheet consisting of a plate having a channel for snugly accommodating one or the other of said channel-shaped edge strips and a clamping means securable to said plate and to said sheet tensio-ning member to prevent displacement of the said edge strip from the holder plate channel, said clamping means serving conjointly with said plate to provide a rest for maintaining the poster sheet in upright position.

3. In combination, a flexible poster having opposed channel-shaped edge strips the mouths of which present toward each other to respectively accommodate therewithin the opposite extremities of a stretch-er for tensioning the poster, the rear walls of said channels being spaced from the plane of the tensioned poster, and means for supporting the poster in substantially vertical position comprising a holder for accommodating one of said edge strips and a clamping member slidably associated with the plate and positionally adjustable to extend across the rear wall of said last-mentioned edge strip whereby to clampingly secure the poster to the said plate.

4. In combination, a flexible poster having opposed channel-shaped edge strips the mouths of which present toward each other, a stretcher for the poster arranged centrally between the side edges of the poster with the opposite extremities th reof seated within the opposed channeled edge strips, and means overlying the upper edge of the rear wall of one of said channeled edge strips and extending rearwardly thereof to provide a support for the tensioned poster, said means being secured to said stretcher to provide an upright backing for the poster unit.

5. In combination, a flexible poster having opposed relatively stiff edge members, a stretcher for the poster adapted to be arranged centrally between the side edges of the poster and extending between said edge members to tension the poster, a plate member having a groove therein adapted to accommodate an edge member of the tensioned poster, and means carried by the plate member and adjustable thereon to lock the said edge member within said groove.

6. In combination, a flexible poster having opposed relatively stiff edge members, a stretcher for the poster adapted to be arranged centrally between the side edges of the poster and extending between said edge members to tension the poster, a plate member having a groove therein adapted to accommodate an edge member of the Y tensioned poster, and means carried by the plate member and adjustable thereon to lock the said edge member within said groove, said means extending rearwardly of the poster to provide, conjointly with said plate member, an easel support for the tensioned poster.

'7. In combination, a flexible poster having relatively stiff opposed marginal edge members, a stretcher extending between said edge members to maintain the poster in stretched condition, a plate member having a groove therein adapted to accommodate one of the marginal edge members of the tensioned poster, and means carried by said plate member and adapted to lock said last-mentioned edge member of the poster within said groove whereby to support the poster in angularly extending relation with respect to said plate member.

8. In combination, a flexible poster having relatively stiif opposed marginal edge members, a stretcher extending between said edge members to maintain the poster in stretched condition, a plate member having a groove therein adapted to accommodate one of the marginal edge members of the tensioned poster, and means carried by said plate member and adapted to lock said last-mentioned edge member of the poster within said groove whereby to support the poster in angularly extending relation with respect to said plate member, said means including an arm adapted to be secured to said stretcher in overlapping relation therewith to constitute a substantially rigid backing for the poster-stretcher assembly.

9. In combination, a poster unit comprising a flexible sheet maintained in taut condition by a stretcher member extending between opposed marginal edges of the said sheet, a plate member extending angularly to the plane of the sheet and provided with a groove for reception of one edge of the poster unit, and a locking member operatively associated with said plate member and having fixed angularly related arms one of which is adapted for flatwise abutment against the rear face of the stretcher member and the other or" which is adapted to rest flatwise against the upper face of the plate member, the apex of the angle formed by said arms being adapted to lock said edge of the poster unit against displacement from said groove.

10. In a combination as defined in claim 9 wherein one of the arms of said locking member constitutes a support for a lamp to illuminate the surface of the tensioned sheet.

11. In a combination as defined in claim 9 wherein the latter of the said angularly related arms extends beyond the rear edge of the plate member for contact with a supporting surface for the poster unit.

HENRY HARRISON. 

